, 1887-04-30

bCCOI1luS ii anu 1888 6NuOi1H11OoO ONCIS
day we live. Theology is a branch of know
ledge, just as much as biology or physiology.
Theology is one of the sciences, or ought to
be; and, consequently when it enters into
tha arena with sister sciences, if it's dicta do
nd coincide with theirs, hostility is immedi-
ately developed and war ensues.
In bygone ages theology was q sort of
pet. Everybody showed her special favor
and she became a spoiled child. As embo-
died in the Catholic Church it is difficult to
tell which was greatest, her ignorance or
her arrogance. She never came into hand
to-hand encounter with other forms of
knowledge. Sitting upon herusurped throne
haughtily she delivered allmanner of unbound
ed assertions and hurled anathemas at those
who differed with her stupidity. She scru-
pied not to strike an intellectual giant like
Calico upon the head with her c~ruciix, and
made him confess before her august presence
that she knew everything and he knew
nothing.
But, of course, this prerogative could not
endure forever. In the grand triumphant
march of liberty, theological ~despotism sAt
length was overthown; and to day, largely
stripped of her authority and unsupported by
a c~ringing, superstitious world, she is oblig.
ed to enter the list si~ngle-handed and match
her native strength against each individual
&AAAo 40 VhAS - - ANAA RANg NANN
no favor.
Now, as a matter of fact in times past,
theology has been conspicuously unscienti-
fc in her search for truth. She asserted,
conjectured, assumed, but did not prove;
and therefore, when she came into contact
with modern science with its accurate, pains.
taking method of research, she was almost
uniformly compelled to beat a retreat. This
was humiliating for theology, but there was
no help for it. The truth in the long run is
always bound to win. Theology had spread
herselfunnecessarily over the. territory belong
ing to other sciences; their weapons were
more critical and cutting. AS a result, medi-
eval theology has been completely driven off
the domain Of physical science, and allowed
to travel over it only on condition of accept
ing the latter's authority.
But this is not all. Theology has not only
been driven back into her own appropriate
realm-the spiritual world. where, by the
way, her authority as supreme and where
physical science can never invade and has
nothing whatever to say-but the critical
spirit of modern times also is compelling
her to become scientific in her own peculiar
realm. TIL animus of the latter half of
the nineteenth century is thus producing'no
thing less than @ theological revolution. In
lmperious tones it demands that theology
must prove all things" that the suppositi-
tious method be exchanged for the scientific
method, Physical science has already passed
through this uncomfortable stage herself,
and theology is fast following in her wake.
Ours is a transitional period, but it is a tran
sition to something more solid and corvinc'
ing. Soon theology will be able to affirm her
truths with all the positiveness that comes
from an observation and classification OF
we'll attested spiritual facts. She will be-
come inductive in her method, and clad IN
this armor she will be able scientifically to
defend the grand fundamental truths OF
Christianity and become invincible.
This revolution is salutary it will give a
new life to the Church of Christ. And this,
I maintain, is one great blessing that science
has conferred upon religion. It has liberated
her from q cumbersome theology which
weighed her down and. diminished her useful
ness. 1t had demonstrated to her that she
has asked the world to believe. too much,
that she has claimed as essential what was
manifestly non-essential, that she has over
stepped her proper limits and alienated Lrfany
thoughtful, conscientious people who Gould
not subscribe to such interpretations aWwere
in manifest contradiction to weHsascertained
facts In the physical world In times past
the Church lost the support of many honest,
cultured people, who ought to have been
within her walls and in her employ. But to-
L. r IL 49, ~@rn~